Field Trips Help Local Philly Students Get Healthy

June 1, 2011

CHICAGO, June 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Trained leaders guided three Kelley Elementary first grade classes through the aisles of the local grocery store, teaching the kids the benefits of eating a well balanced diet and staying active. The Field Trip, Kid Healthy Ideas(TM), was designed exclusively for GIANTÃ‚® Foods Stores by Chicago-based Field Trip Factory, an experiential learning leader who has been at the forefront of the effort to bring Health and Wellness education to local communities for over eighteen years. This is one of many Field Trip Factory experiences offered through community conscious retailers nationwide.

Kelley Elementary has been making great strides to help students be healthy: their efforts were recognized in the New York Times this past March: “Fernando Gallard, a spokesman for the Philadelphia School District, said schools were meeting new federal meal proposals by using more dark green and orange vegetables, as well as fruits, whole grains and legumes.”

The current surge in the rate of childhood obesity nationwide makes it increasingly important that communities rally in support of efforts to get healthy, especially when it comes to children. Julie Mennella, a scientist with Philadelphia’s Monell Chemical Senses Center explains it this way: “Childhood teaches us what to eat, how to eat, when to eat and what food should taste like.” Field Trip Factory and Giant Food Stores are delivering these lessons in the exact place where healthy choices are made – the aisles of the local grocery store.

ABOUT FIELD TRIP FACTORY

The industry leader for experiential learning since 1992, Field Trip Factory (FTF) has been creating meaningful learning experiences between businesses and communities through relevant, hands-on educational field trips for kids and seniors. With more than 30 trips offered in topics from environmental education to health and wellness, FTF Field Trips provide valuable, interactive lessons for all ages in an atmosphere of fun, which fosters best comprehension. Offered in 50 states, and underwritten by corporate sponsors, all FTF Field Trips not only support learning standards, but are free as well. For more information or to schedule a trip, call (800) 987-6409, or go to www.fieldtripfactory.com.